LOS ANGELES – The Catholic Church is often out of step with California's liberal Legislature. But the church notched a prominent statehouse win this week after aligning with advocates for the disabled and medical groups to defeat a proposal to allow terminally ill patients to legally end their lives.

The decision by a legislative committee Tuesday to shelve the bill came after weeks of lobbying over whether to make California the next state to allow physicians to legally prescribe fatal medication.

A Los Angeles archdiocese website urged volunteers to get involved. Parishioners and seminarians met with legislators. A Diocese of Orange website urged parishioners — in English and Spanish — to write members of the Legislature.

California lawmakers have long advanced gay and reproductive rights, issues that frequently conflict with Catholic teachings.